Experts canvass funding of state police from governors’ security votes
By Tom Okpe
Security experts have called on the National Assembly to make it mandatory for state governors to dedicate their monthly security votes to funding state police in their respective states.
They also recommend the substitution of federal police personnel with state police operatives for the protection of top state functionaries.
Those listed for change over from federal police to state police personnel for their security details include governors, deputy governors and commissioners.
Others include Speakers and Deputy Speakers, state high court judges, state assembly members and other top state government officials who are entitled to police protection.
It was also recommended that the protection of public owned institutions, infrastructure and utilities at the state level, should be transferred from the federal police to state police personnel.
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According to the experts, the recommendations, if adopted, would make the governors take seriously the responsibility of funding and equipping their police establishments upon the enactment of the State Police Act.
It would also strengthen the state police establishments and enhance the effective discharge of the duties of combating the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in their states.
State governors have been receiving billions of Naira monthly as security votes since the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.
The funds, which come as part of the states’ monthly allocations from the federation account, are hardly accounted for. Most of the governors consider the security votes as their “pocket money”.
“Although the security votes alone will not be enough to adequately fund and equip state police in the various states, they will go a long way in bridging the funding gap”, one of the experts said.
The recommendations are coming as the National Assembly begins the legislative process for the establishment of state police.
The state police bill on Tuesday passed the second reading in House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to alter provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the establishment of state police.
The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and 14 other lawmakers.
Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors, Rep Tolani Shagaya, noted that the primary purpose of government as enshrined in Section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is the security and welfare of the citizens.
He also noted that in recent times, the nation’s collective security has been greatly challenged and state policing is not only inevitable, but urgently desired to tackle the mounting challenges of insecurity.
The lawmaker explained that the establishment of state police is a clarion call for a tailored, community-centric policing system; and an acknowledgment that the states are uniquely positioned to address the security challenges within their borders.
Listing some of the key innovations of the proposed alteration, he said, “The transfer of Police from the ‘Exclusive Legislative List’ to the ‘Concurrent Legislative List,’ is a move that effectively, empowers states to have state controlled policing.
“The introduction of a comprehensive framework to ensure cohesion as well as accountability and uniform standards between the federal police and state police.
“Provision of prescribed rigorous safeguards preventing unwarranted interference by the federal police in state police affairs, emphasising collaboration and intervention only, under well-defined circumstances.
Others, include establishment of State Police Service Commissions as distinct, from the Federal Police Service Commission with clearly defined roles and jurisdictions.
“Re-calibration of the National Police Council to include Chairmen of the State Police Service Commissions, emphasising the collaborative and consultative nature of policing in our federal system, a recognition of the possible financial challenges which may be faced by state police, by empowering the federal government to provide grants or aids.
“Subject to the approval of the National Assembly, ensuring adequate resources for effective policing.”
Shagaya added that the alterations proposed in the bill are not just alterations to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but also, building blocks of a more secure, accountable and resilient Nigeria.
Contributing in support of the bill, Rep Ahmed Jaha stated that the bill is timely as security is the responsibility of all, and everybody’s business.
He noted that with community policing and the Nigerian Police, working in tandem, will rid the communities of all forms of crime.
Also, Rep Babajimi Benson, in his contribution supported the bill, commending the Deputy Speaker for initiating it.
On his part, Rep Awaji-Inombek Abiante, noted that Nigeria has had enough of insecurity and, establishing state police is a way the nation can ensure that the people sleep with our eyes closed.
The bill when put to vote, got majority support of members at plenary.
It was subsequently referred to the Committee on Constitution Review by Deputy Speaker Kalu, who presided over the session. He urged members who have further inputs on the bill to channel such to the committee.
